Tamil Nadu government extends deadline for repaying cooperative loans

CHENNAI: As Covid-19 cases soared in Tamil Nadu, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday to brief him about the measures taken by the state government to contain the virus. Later, the government announced a slew of measures like extending the deadline for payment of crop loan dues to cooperative societies, dues to housing cooperative societies, TN housing board society and handloom cooperative societies till June 30. Palaniswami, chief secretary K Shanmugam and DGP J K Tripathy explained to the governor that the state was implementing every directive and containment plan of the Centre in letter and spirit. The governor was appreciative of the efforts taken by the state government and the chief minister, who was directly supervising the efforts, Shanmugam told mediapersons after the meeting. Shanmugam said the chief minister had instructed collectors to deliver free ration at home. If that is not possible, token system should be introduced at ration shops to maintain social distancing. The government informed Purohit that it had commenced the preparedness well in advance, on noticing the spread of the virus in other countries. It increased capacity of beds, created more isolation wards and procured masks and personal protective gears. Orders were placed for 1.5 crore masks including 25 lakh N95 masks. The government also ordered 30,000 PPE kits and 2,500 ventilators. The plans were evolved based on “worst and best case scenarios”. Currently, 17,000 beds are available in public and private hospitals in the state, he said. Along with 11 committees set up for coordination, the state also set up one to improve hospital infrastructure, Shanmugam said. The government has adopted a local containment plan. Eight km radius of virus-infected person’s house is covered under intense verification to contain the spread. Those with respiratory illnesses admitted to private hospitals are also being monitored by government agencies, he said. “Since 18% of the cases require only surveillance, for which middle-level treatment with quarantine facilities are required, the government has set up a committee to enumerate unused buildings and hostels. If capacity is increased, pressure on private hospitals will be reduced,” Shanmugam said. After imposing restrictions in vegetable shops, the government was taking efforts to shift fish and meat shops also to open fields to ensure social distancing, he said. Those who refuse to shift the shops are forced to close shops, he said. He said the government had held discussions with Bihar and Punjab associations to reassure migrant workers. These associations have offered facilities like educational institutions for accommodating workers. Government has given assurance that food and accommodation would be provided to all.